Summer is so close, can you feel it? As the spring sun comes out, us outdoor girlies are getting excited about our plans for hiking in warmer days. But before you rush to lace up your boots, have a quick look through my guide to what to wear hiking in summer so you can stay protected and cool.
I will take you through what to wear and share what I take in my bag so I hike fueled, cool and hydrated. I’ve even added a couple of hiking tips for the heat for any eczema sufferers like myself.
So, what to wear?
1) A light, suitable shirt with a vest underneath
Avoid anything cotton because once it gets wet or sweaty in the heat, you’ll be uncomfortable. Instead, wear a comfortable cool, strappy vest, made of something nylon or polyester. And then pop a soft shirt over the top.
2) Hiking shorts, or comfortable leggings
Avoid jeans on a summer hike. Lots of people wear hiking shorts because they’re really light and great for the heat. But as a very fair skinned gal, I get a smidge self-conscious about my legs!
3) A cap or hat
I’m not usually a cap person, but I would definitely encourage you to wear a cap on a summer hike. It will protect your head from the heat, especially if you’re trekking in the sunshine for hours! Plus, it gives your face a bit of shade, which you’ll thank me for.
4) Sunglasses
It depends how long a hike you’re going on. But I just take my normal sunglasses to protect my eyes and avoid squinting the whole time. That’s no way to enjoy a summer walk!
5) Hiking boots, and socks
Last but definitely not least, you need some good hiking boots. Any good outdoor hiking shop is your best bet. If you don’t have any, you really don’t need to spend hundreds for a great pair. Again, comfort is key. But if you don’t have any hiking boots, that’s okay! You can still join the club; I’d just wear your most comfortable, reliable trainers (but avoid any extreme peaks and be careful on uneven terrain if you do wear trainers).
Don’t forget to wear your new hiking boots in first, otherwise you might end up with a blister if you wear them for a sweaty summer hike straight away! You can usually also grab some good hiking socks from an outdoor hiking shop. For summer hiking specifically, I’d wear socks that don’t go any higher than your boots because you’ll get a nice breeze around your ankles then!
Your summer hiking backpack checklist
I’d pack the following into a reasonably sized rucksack. You can take a bigger backpack, but it depends how far you’re hiking and what the terrain is like:
| Item | Note | Packed |
| Big bottle of water | Essential for staying hydrated. | ☐ |
| Suncream | Keep that skin protected. | ☐ |
| Paracetamol | For any unexpected aches or pains. | ☐ |
| Spare socks | A lifesaver if your feet get wet or muddy, or just too sweaty. | ☐ |
| Light raincoat or kagool | British weather can suddenly turn! Plus, it makes a great make-do picnic blanket. | ☐ |
| Blister plasters | Just in case! | ☐ |
| Your phone (fully charged) | For communication and maybe some photos. A (fully charged) charging pack can be helpful too, if your phone runs out of battery out there. | ☐ |
| Enough cash, or a bank card | For any unexpected purchases – and the pub lunch at the end. | ☐ |
| A map | Unless you have an app like AllTrails which I use a lot. | ☐ |
| Easy snacks for an energy boost | Keep those energy levels up! Fruit or haribos work well. | ☐ |
| A good lunch | Plan to find some shade on route, under a tree (unless you can end your route at a good pub with a nice cold drink!) | ☐ |
How to dress for a summer hike with eczema
I’ve loved hiking for years and I’ve also had eczema flare ups over those years and so I’d certainly say the heat is a trigger. And that means as a runner and hiker, I need to take extra care to avoid being super itchy after my hike.
If you suffer too, I hope this helps:
- Wear a light fitting, short sleeved top or vest if you can – long sleeves can irritate itchy inner elbow creases, stopping you from enjoying your hike!
- Take a very breathable, loose shirt – you can put it on if it gets cool mid-hike, but the air can still move between the fabric
- Speak to your doctor if you’re really suffering – they might be able to prescribe you with antihistamines to relieve that unbearable itch.
- Pop a cooling cream in your rucksack – in case you need any mid-hike soothing relief, Dermolotion works well
This is me on a hike in the Malvern Hills with my friend Sarah; we were fundraising for Newlife.
I caught up with Sarah and asked her for any more tips.
“Take a handheld fan, layers you can take off, and remember you always need more water than you think, especially in warmer weather!”
About out guest blogger
I’m West Midlands-based Katie McDonald. I work in digital marketing by day. I started my running blog back in 2016 and called it Life of a Miss Fit because I wanted to incorporate running, the great outdoors and a happy lifestyle into one resource for people.
https://www.instagram.com/lifeofamissfit
